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The Department of Education announced $30 million in grant programs to improve postsecondary opportunities for students with disabilities, education reporter Christina Samuels writes in this blog post. Funding will be aimed at easing the transition to college for students with special needs, helping education schools recruit and train more special-education teachers, and training rehabilitation staff to help individuals with disabilities find employment, Samuels writes.

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The Los Angeles school board gave its unanimous approval to a legal settlement that would limit seniority-based protections for teachers during layoffs and would prevent the district from dismissing teachers at 45 struggling schools, where high teacher turnover is seen as contributing to low achievement. The agreement, which requires a judge's approval, would settle a lawsuit filed by groups that claimed the district's "last hired, first fired," policies were impeding students' equal access to public education.

Two Oklahoma school districts voted Monday to decline participation in a scholarship program that allows students with special needs to attend private schools using state funds. The districts argue that the program violates the constitution because it funnels public money to religious organizations, which operate many private schools, and discriminates against students who are not in special education. Many parents, staff, and state officials criticized the decision by the districts.

Several initiatives to improve special education are benefiting from recently announced federal Investing in Innovation grants, according to Education Week reporter Christina Samuels. In this blog post, Samuels cites a number of these programs, including a plan to expand arts-based learning for students with disabilities in a New York City district and a proposal to extend the school year for K-3 students in special education in four New Mexico districts.

The Cleveland-area nonprofit Positive Education Program is planning a new center for 110 students with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. The center will also offer training for teachers who work with students who have special needs, including education students from Cleveland State University.

A group of Pittsburgh parents who have children with disabilities have created their own school to help children improve their mobility and become more independent. Steps to Independence offers conductive-education classes for students of varying disabilities, and organizers hope to expand the program into public schools throughout the state.